Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about volunteering in the AOA

How do I volunteer to….

• Become a Project Coordinator?
  • Project Coordinators are responsible for providing resources and guidance for their assigned ad-hoc project. As projects arise, interested members can apply to be considered for the Project Coordinator’s position. Announcements are posted on the website as well as through other member communications, such as the AOA Today and the Oto's Scope.
• Work on a project?
  • Members interested in working on a project should contact the Project Coordinator or the Committee Chair responsible for the oversight of the particular project they are interested in.


• Participate on a Committee?
  • Are you available to volunteer to work, meet a challenge & grow from the experience? Put you input and insight to use by volunteering for an AOA committee. Making a difference and becoming involved are keys to personal & professional growth and development.
  • View a list of the current AOA committees and download the committee application to join other AOA members as you volunteer your time and expertise.

It feels good to know we have a voice in the AOAs future -Quote from Amanda Foutch Committees Volunteered on: Program, AOA-27 Chair, Practice Management, Legislative, Website, Editorial Board, Oto's Scope, OK state representative, AOA Ambassador

• Work on the Leadership Council?
  • The best way to get involved at the Leadership Council level is to become a member of the committee that works in the area you are interested in, and let your interest in leadership be known. When Project Coordinator positions become available, apply! You can also contact a Leadership Council member in person at a meeting, by email or by phone and let them know you want to get involved. They can help you find an area you can work in. When positions become open, express your interest for nomination. We are always looking for members who are ready to get connected and further their quality of membership.
• Write an article for Oto’s Scope?
  • Anyone can submit an article for the Oto's Scope, and we are always looking for articles! Many of our articles are written by members, but we also publish articles that are written by non-members (with permission, of course). Contact Robin Wagner, COPM, our Oto's Scope Editor and Executive Director, at the AOA Office if you are interested in submitting an article. And don’t worry too much about making it “look pretty”—the publisher will that care of that! A simple WORD document will do!
• Become a member of the speaker’s bureau?
  • Members who are interested in being a part of our AOA Speaker’s bureau should contact the AOA Office.
• Just get involved in the AOA?
  • There are so many ways to get involved with the AOA! If you are new to the AOA or just want to step up your involvement, here are a few suggestions for you:

• What is the time commitment for becoming a volunteer?
  • The amount of time that you commit to the AOA is up to you—we can usually find use for whatever you have to offer! Sometimes, volunteers simply give an hour a month participating on a conference call providing input and feedback. You choose how much time you are able to give to a project or a committee that you volunteer for by selecting and committing to the projects and assignments based on your availability. All of our members have “real jobs” that they are responsible for, and those jobs always come first. When we can pool the slivers of time of many members, it is amazing what we can accomplish!
• What is the best way to get to know other members and members of the leadership?
• Just get involved! Participate in the discussion boards, join a committee, and come to the annual meeting. Throughout the year you can work with members and network with them by visiting the website often and volunteering on a committee. The annual meeting provides great face-to-face networking opportunities along with the exceptional educational sessions. Put a face with the names you see and the members you talk to all year long! Most of our most active AOA members attend the annual meeting every year.



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